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Maid to Perfection: Favorite Tips for Managing Your Beautifully Bewitching Bridesmaids
By Terrie Needham
As a highly evolved, yet completely realistic, woman, I'll be the first to admit that when you place 10 females in a room, you'll wind up with 25 different opinions.
That's the dilemma each of us faces when we plan our weddings. As we peruse bridesmaids' gowns, jewelry and accessories, each 'maid will not be shy about sharing her own favorite colors, personal preferences and style agenda. In addition to a wedding gown, you may want to invest in a striped referee's shirt! After all, you're the umpire-but how can you stay in charge, while also keeping the peace as you prep for the most important day of your life? Here are some of my favorite tips for managing your beautifully bewitching bridesmaids.
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Bridesmaids will often complain that they're spending a lot of money to be in your wedding party, so they believe they're entitled to a say in all fashion decisions. Your best bet? Listen politely and respectfully. Thank them for their input. Tell them you'll be taking everyone's suggestions into consideration-and then seize the reins.
Remember: Each pretty 'maid in the row agreed to be in your wedding. If you do your job with finesse and provide sufficient compliments, they'll be delighted to wear what you've picked out. This includes dresses, jewelry and accessories.
Some brides provide jewelry sets as a gift to their 'maids during their bachelorette bash or bridal shower. This is a great way to thank your bridesmaids for participating in your wedding, as well as to exercise control over what they'll wear-especially if you want each girl to have that "Supremes" look: same theme, slightly different jewelry. You can choose the same lustrous pearls or dazzling cubic zirconia. Slight variations in style are fine, as long as the look is relatively consistent.
Be sure to verify who has pierced ears. You'll need to purchase pierced earrings for the majority, but clip earrings are required for the few 'maids with virgin earlobes.
Practice Good Coordination
Be sure to match bridesmaids' accessories to the color of their gowns. Whether you're thinking a necklace or a choker, there are several dozen pearl and cubic zirconia shades available. Regardless of dress color, you're sure to find a complementary hue.
Also pay close attention to gown details. If bridesmaids' dresses are adorned with crystals, beading or pearls, you'll need to select jewelry with similar accents. Don't mix and match like a wild woman! Keep it simple and elegant.
If you've asked your 'maids to wear similar hairstyles, make sure earrings complement their 'dos. Updos like topknots, chignons and French twists call for drop earrings to accentuate facial features and add just the right amount of sparkle. If hair will be worn curled and loose, chandelier earrings fit the bill. For 'maids with short hair, all is not lost: Pixie cuts and short bobs are best accentuated with studs and button earrings. You can still achieve a consistent look by asking everyone-regardless of hair length, texture or style-to wear the same type of jewels, be it pearls or cubic zirconia.
To avoid bloodshed, never ask a bridesmaid to color or chop inches off her hair. That's an extreme makeover, so don't go crazy with Bridezilla power!
About the Author
Terrie Needham owns Anna Bellagio, a leader in the bridesmaids jewelry and accessories industry for 17 years. She loves attending fashion shows and checking out new designers so she can offer sensational, yet affordable, selections to her ever-growing customer base.
http://www.annabellagio.com
A ceremony consists of .... by Reverend Dr. Kimber Lee Wilkes
Prelude music and processional:
The wedding party and Bride walk down the aisle. That is the first time that we see the bride Wearing her wedding gown and Veil.
The wedding gown color of white has been a symbol of joyous celebration since early Roman times. At the beginning to the twentieth century, white stood for purity, it still holds it original meaning of happiness and joy.
The bride's veil and bouquet are of greater antiquity than her white gown. Her veil, which was yellow in ancient Greece and red in ancient Rome, usually shrouded her from head to foot, and has since the earliest of times, denoted the submissiveness of a woman to a man. The thicker the veil, the more submissive she was.
According to tradition, it is considered bad luck for the bride to be seen by the groom before the ceremony. As a matter of fact, in the old days of marriage by purchase, the couple rarely saw each other at all.
The lifting of the veil at the end of the ceremony symbolizes male dominance. If the bride takes the initiative in lifting it, thereby presenting herself to him, she is showing more independence.
Then we ask the father, if he will give the Bride Away.
In times when women were granted few privileges and even fewer personal rights, the bride was literally given away to the groom by the father, usually in exchange for monetary gain. Today, it is seen as symbolic of the blessings and support of her union, and a promise of continued trust and affection. Often when the question is asked by an officiant during the ceremony, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man," the father's response is, "Her mother and I."
Many brides prefer today, to have their father bestow his blessings upon the marriage, instead of giving her away.
The officiant welcomes everyone to the ceremony on behalf of the bride and groom. I feel the importance of taking the time to look directly at every one of the guests to establish the disposition of the ceremony.
Next come the homily or ceremony words… which reflect the marriage, the couple and the beginning of there live together.
Then the vows: traditional or personalized, usually based on how nervous the couple is feeling that day.
Exchanging of wedding rings.
The wedding ring has been worn on the third finger of the left hand since Roman times. The Romans believed that the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart. The wedding ring is a never-ending circle, which symbolizes everlasting love.
Medieval bridegrooms placed the ring on three of the bride's fingers, in turn, to symbolize, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The ring then remained on the third finger and has become the customary ring finger for English-speaking cultures. Thus, the ring being placed on that finger, symbolizes the strong connection of a heartfelt love and commitment to one another.
Final words or blessing.
The pronouncement;
And The kiss—In Roman times a kiss was seen as a legal bond that sealed all contracts, and has become a staple ending to a wedding ceremony Finally, there is the introduction of the Bide and groom as, Mr. and Mrs..
As an officiant it is imperative that the couple also discuss the details of the ceremony with the bridal consultant, as they will be orchestrating the ceremony and organize the rest of the vendors. That includes the timing of the music, what limitations if any the photographers and videographer have and where the guests should adjourn to after the ceremony.
It is always a pleasure to work with another professional to make our couple’s day as beautiful as possible.
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